Parrot perched on top after slopestyle heats

ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Reuters) - Canada's Maxence Parrot scorched the competition in the second heat of the men's snowboard slopestyle on Thursday to book his place in the Sochi Olympic final.

Parrot's score of 97.50 was the best of the day as the competition burst into life in the second heat. Roope Tonteri of Finland snared second with 95.75, which would also have been good enough to win the first heat.

First heat winner Staale Sandbech's 94.50 would only have been good enough for third spot in the second heat as the competitors upped the ante in the bright Sochi sunshine.

Sweden's Sven Thorgren held on for third place in the second heat, with Norwegian Gjermund Braaten in fourth, grabbing the final two automatic places for Saturday's final.

Those who missed out on automatic qualifying still have the chance to grab one of four remaining berths when they compete in a semi-final on Saturday.

Earlier, Sandbech put in a blazing second run to win the opening on Thursday, the first day of competition at the Sochi Olympics.

Sandbech's first run scored a modest 45.25 but the Norwegian notched 94.50 on his second run. Finland's Peetu Piroinen took second place, with Sebastien Toutant of Canada coming in third.

America's Charles Guldemond missed out on the fourth spot by just 0.75 of a point after Britain's Jamie Nicholls used his final run to sneak past and snatch the berth in the final.
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